A recent message that I shared was entitled "Grace for a dead man".  It tells 
the story of a man named Mephibosheth(what a name huh?).  His grandfather had 
been the king of Israel, and after his death, his rival David had ascended to 
the throne.  The tradition of that time in the surrounding countries was to 
eradicate the former king's family so that there would not be a struggle for 
the throne.  Wipe them out and secure the throne for your family.  When Meph
(maybe his mom called him that?)was a small child his grandfather was killed 
in a battle.  His nanny heard of the death and assuming the danger to her 
charge hurried to escape.  In her rush to escape she drops the child and Meph 
is crippled in both his legs.

   Fast forward about 20 years and we find King David, sitting on the throne, 
wondering if there is anyone left in the former kings family, that he can show 
kindness to!  What a turnaround!  Instead of seeking out family members to 
kill to secure his position he looks for survivors that he can show kindness to
(literally grace to).  A servant goes to find Meph and brings him to the 
king.  Can you imagine the fear in Meph's life at that moment, wondering if 
today was the last sunrise that he would see, would his wife be a widow by 
sunset, would his children have to grow up with an empty seat at their table 
where their father once sat?  He enters the king's chambers and throws himself 
at the kings feet and says "Why should you care about me?  I'm worth no more 
than a dead dog."  We find out that not only does King David spare his life, 
he restores all that Meph's family has lost, and grants him full privilage at 
the king's table.  

   Why would David do this?  Had Meph done anything to deserve the grace of 
the king?  The reason is simple, David had made promise to Meph's father 
Jonathan.  David was true to his word, even though culture told him otherwise, 
and even though Meph had done nothing to deserve it.
   I love this story because it is such a great illustration of the grace that 
God desires to pour into your life and mine.  Let me point out several things 
in the story that reflect on us and our lives.
   
 We have all been crippled by a fall.
      Just like Meph's crippled legs each of us has been crippled in our 
lives.  Church people use the fancy word sin, but we all know the 
imperfections that run through our lives.  We don't have to look around the 
world to see the crippling effects of sin, wars that leave thousands dead and 
maimed, the devastating effects of child abuse, the costly toll of alcoholism 
and gambling in our society.  All we have to do is look inside ourselves and 
see the cost in our own lives and those around us, all because of the 
crippling effect of sin in our lives.  We are fallen people living in a 
crippled world, and despite our best efforts, with peace treaties, more laws 
passed, more tolerance and inclusion taught, we see that we are not living in 
the utopia that we hoped for.

We don't deserve the grace of the King.
   Now before you get upset at me let me explain what I mean.  Have you ever 
had a loan at the bank?  One of the things that my bank has is what they call 
a grace period.  What is that?  It is simply a period after when the loan 
payment is due that allows me to make the payment without a penalty.  Do I 
deserve it?  Is the bank required to give it to me?  No on both accounts.  
What would you think if I walked into the bank demanding that they gave me a 
20 year grace period on my car loan?  Sounds silly doesn't it and the loan 
officer, between chuckles, would politely decline my request.  
     Now the question comes, do I deserve the grace of God?  What would give 
me the right to demand grace for the ruler of the universe?  My giving to the 
Red Cross?  How about because I love my wife and children?  Maybe because I 
treat our pets kindly?  Demanding grace from God is like my 20 year request.  
Why?  Because in the eyes of the perfect holy God, our good works don't really 
amount to much.  In fact the Bible tells us that our good works are like a 
pile of dirty rags.

The King gives grace because of his promise.
    Did King David really have to treat Meph the way he did?  There was no law 
that required him to do so.  In fact the culture of the time told him exactly 
opposite.  Kill him, get rid of the threat, he doesn't deserve to live.  Did 
he have to keep his promise?  Before either you or I answer too quickly, we 
should remember the promises to our friends and family that we have forgotten, 
ignored, or not followed through on.  David kept his promise, because the 
Bible says "that he has a heart after God's".  David kept his promise because 
God keeps His.  In fact the Bible tells us that God is unable to break a 
pomise.  Did you get that?  God can not be untrue to Himself, it is just not 
in Him.  So why does God give grace to you and to me?  Simply because, through 
Jesus, he promised us grace.  Ephesians tells us that it is by grace that we 
have salvation, not through anything that we have done.  God has been and 
always will be true to His Word, count on it.

The King restores what was lost.
     King David not only spares the life of Meph, but returns to him all the 
holdings of his father and grandfather.  What a statement!  All that was lost, 
and I am sure that was never even wildly dreamed of having back again, was 
returned by the king.   God wants to do that in your life and mine.  Now that 
doesn't mean that He will erase all the years of hardship and separation, 
David didn't do that for Meph and God doesn't promise us that either.  What he 
does promise us is that he is able to heal the broken lives, the broken 
relationships, to restore those things that, because of our fall, have been 
lost to us.  

The King provides full fellowship at His table.
   One of the things I find most amazing in this story is that King David 
invites Meph to join him at the King's table with his own children!  Can you 
imagine what goes through Meph's mind at that invitation?  To go from exile to 
the king's table?  Max Lucado, an author, shares a great thought.  Imagine all 
of the royal family gathered around the supper table and in the distance they 
hear clop, clop, clop, the sound of Meph's crutches sounding on the stone on 
the way to the king's table.  Do you think that Meph ever forgot the grace 
that David poured out on his life?  If he was tempted to do so, I would 
imagine the sound of his crutches sounding, was a constant reminder of where 
he had come from.   

   You know in the same way God invites us to his table.  Not as an intruder, 
or even as a visitor, but as a member of His family, with all the rights and 
privileges of any member of His family.  Each of us has been invited, and all 
are welcome at God's table of grace.  How about you, are you feeling a little 
hungry?

Randy and Kathy Johnson
God is good... all the time.
All the time...God is GOOD!

  

   
      

Continuing the work of Jesus....Peacefully....Simply....Together.


Randy and Kathy Johnson are both licensed ministers in the Northern Plains District of the Church of the Brethren.